Multiple port valve



L. G. DANIELS MULTIPLE PORT VALVE Aug. 5, 1952 Filed Jan. 9, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

Aug. 5, 1952 L. e. DANIELS MULTIPLE PORT VALVE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1946 I INVENTORQ A! g- 5, 19 2 L. DANIELS 2,605 992 MULTIPLE PORT VALVE 'Filed Jan. s, 1946 4 Sheegs-Sheet s v IN V EN TOR.

'26 21. ALMA L. G. DANIELS MULTIPLE PORT VALVE Aug. 5, 1952 Filed Jan. '9, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

BY r WM We M Patented Aug. 5,

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; own-1o ,sTA-TEs PATENT ori ice MULTIPLE PORT VALVE 7 Lee G. Daniels, Rockford, m. I I I I I h Application January 9, 1946, Serial No. 639,920 i V I 8 Claims. 1 This invention pertains generally to valves, and more articularly to multi-port valves of the rotary plate type, some features of the invention being capable of embodiment in either a plain rotary valve or a'lift-turn valve. Broadly speaking, the novel features hereinafter disclosed constitute improvements upon my prior Patent No. 2,364,697, issued December 12, 1944.

Valves of this character, when employed as the control valve for water softeners, and particularly in large commercial softeners, are arranged to deliver the brine or other regenerating reagent over and in proximity to the bed of zeolite. For purposes of brine economy it is desirable to deliver to the head chamberv just above the zeolite a brine flow simultaneousl 'with a waterflow thereto and above the level of the delivered brine, so the flow of water will induce an immediate down flow of the brine into the bed without stagnation of the brine in the top of such chamber. 1 An important feature of my invention resides in the provision of a novel structural arrangement of the valve, whereby the above indicated result may be effectively accomplished.-

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel port arrangement permitting the overall dimensions of the valve to be smaller and yet give improved flow characteristics.

Another object is to reduce the cost of manufacture of valves of this character through the provision of a valve structure in which'a plurality of different valves may be made from the same patterns.

Other purposes and advantages of my invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of a valve embodying the principles of my invention;

' Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on a median line 2-.-2'through the valve of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one form of the valve plate shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar view of a modified valve plate;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of cover for use with the valve plate of Fig-4; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view through thefalse port of the body;

Fig. '7 is a plan view of the valve body; Fig. 8 is a fragmental sectional view on the :line 3 F g.7;,. M. N Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig'. '7 of a valve body with the plug of the false port removed and treating system and a ported rotor or valve plate having a fiat face arranged in confronting relation to the face-of the body, The valve plate is designed and constructed to cooperate with the body 'in a pluralityof operative positions to producevarious desired fluid flows through the system. The body, stator orbase indicated generally by reference characterfl 'l lFigs. 2 and 7) is generally made of cast metal and-shaped to provide a plurality of chambers, in the present instance five, comprising atop chambenIZ, a side chamber [3, a bottom chamber I4, aside chamber 15, and an inj ector'chamber 26, the chambers having tapped openings "l6, l1, l8, l9 and 65, for pipe connections, adapteolto receive and be connected to the various fluid conducting pipes or conduits of the system. 'The face of the 'bodyis provided with port locations having ports communicating withsaid chambers, as indicated by reference characters 2|, 22,- 23, 26, and 25,- respectively. These ports 21 to 25 are all formed on an equal radius'fr'o'rn a common center on the face of the body, and each port is spaced or arranged from the adjacent or nearest port.

-In addition, the'body is providedwith a chamber or co'nnectioniii in communication with chamber 26, and the body also has a' por't location which will be termed a false port 21, which in the form of body shown in Fig. 7 does not provide an opening to establish communication with the chamber [3, but affords an area of contact or supportfor the rotor at this point to insure uniformity in balance'and Which, when the plate-is in seated relation with the body, closes certain ports in thetransfer passage 39 of the plate in diflerent operative position thereof.

Each of ports 2| to Z5,'iIl01llSiV6,liS formed by an upwardly projecting ,thimble or. bushing or ferrule 28 v which is threaded, into .or has .a :drive fit with the body soas .to project upwardly'therefrom a.predetermined.distance. 1A sealing ring .or supporting seat 29-. of suitable-resilient. compressible material, such; as. rubber, surrounds each bushing 28 and projects above the upper end thereof so as to provide an annular seating surface against which the fiat face of the superposed valve plate will seat to provide a seal around each port.

The false port 21 consists of a plug 3| surbody into which it is threaded may be the same size as the other ports and thimbles, t9 provide an open port communicating with chamber [3 when the plug is removed and a bushing or fer rule such as 28 screwed therein.

In addition to the ports above described, the body may be provided with a central inlet 30 for raw or hard water. if preferred, however, such water may be admitted to the valve cover above the plate through a suitable portin the cover to be later, described.

The valve plate. st m p at QtQr a a for use with the body above escribed. ma of the design illustrat d i F wh ch shut off flowof fluid to, s rv e du in the re e e f a. wate ea m nt appara us o whi the valve s onne ted. r t ayb o he design x m l fie in h emb dim nt O Fis- 1 Which is p e t l r untt a edwater o S c du i he ege ra ion ot; he ea men a p a The only difference in the two plates is that the plate 'F e-e. es ned tq nmi huhtr ated Water to s r ce" during th re ener ion r s is p ov e w th. an ddi iona r h p a 0f Fi 3 ma e c nve ted nt hat 4 y m ly r in o erths a ether sort through the Plate a i l be. at ex aine e r n t F s- .2. t w be obse ed that the l t ndi ate ee erall by re ehee ehere t 32 F s: and. 3 s Q a. la e or d skr ihe Struttibn havin a fla q e ea in ate; n radial and circumferential reinforcing ribs 33 and 34, respectively, on its upper face. a supply Po or n en htqueh P r 35 ex ndi te t e e r h h h Pl t and. etu n p ts 31, and 38: are concentrically arranged on equal radii fr'om the center of the valve plate tov align or register with the similarly arranged ports of th -I O es P' 'r e --f .d t -ex d i a tren ie as e QP E QQ. by .31 pwa d projecting hollow portion 41 of the cast plate. On each side of through port 35 there is a blind portion comprising the flat face of the plate.

The valve plate of the species shown in Fig. 4 is identical in all respects with that of Fig, 3, except that an additional open through port 42 extending completely through the valve plate and spaced sixty degrees from the adjacent port 35 is provided, and, like Fig. 3 has a, blind portion located between ports 35; and 35. The valve plates may be manufactured in thetwo types, disclosed in Figs. 3 and 4 and used interchangeably to meet the requirements of particular installations. For instance, for usein a water softening system in which delivery of hard water to service during the regeneration period. is undesirable, the plate of Fig. 3 would be employed. On the other hand, for installations requiring delivery of hard water to service during the regeneration period of the softener, the plate of Fig. dwith the port 42 would meet the requirements. It will thus be seen that the plates are made from the turned to turn the valve plate.

same patterns and castings, the port arrangement being such as to produce the required flows by simple changes in the plate to provide the different species of plates. The valve bodies are the same-namely that shown in Fig. 7.

The plate, irrespective of type, is fixedly mounted upon a stem 43, the lower end of which is journaled in a yoke 44 carried by and extending upwardly from the upper end of a bushing or sleeve 45 (Fig. 2) threaded into or otherwise anchored in the central inlet 30 of the stator. The stem 43 is also journaled above the plate in a bearing 45 depending from the cover, cap or bonnet 41 in which the plate is enclosed or housed, this cover being secured to the body by bolts 48 (Figure 1), a gasket 49 being clamped between the body and the cover to preclude leakage. Leakage around the stem 43 is precluded by suitable packing 5| compressed around the stem by a packing nut 52.

The upper end of stem 43 is connected by a pin 53 with an operating handle 54 provided at its inner end with a downwardly projecting toe 55 adapted to ride'upon the smooth upper or flat surface of the cover during operative movements of the plate. A coiled expansion spring 56 interposed between the plate, and an annular shoulder carried by the cover 41 urges the plate toward the, body and normally holds the plate in sealing engagement with the sealing rings 29 surrounding the body ports.

To move the valve plate from one, operative position to. another for the purpose, of effecting a change and establishing a desired or different fluid flow through the system, the lever 54 is firstraised or lifted upwardly. whereupon the toe 55 actsw as a fulcrum to lift the stem 43 and the valvepla'te which is fixed. thereto up and free from the sealing rings of the body and is, then he handle is rned abou he s em 3. as, an axis. so as to a i n, th req site po s a d l d r ion or pe tions of the valve. plate with certain of the body ports i p eseleqted po i on to estab ish t e esired fluid flows.

To r ven ee dehtalshiitlns or turn ng. the alve, p a wh n n. seate relet qn to t e body the handle is quip ed ith a dependin a ch 51 d ed, to e n a ed, any o e o se of no ches r ots w th. which tmay be ali and into which it, will be urged by the spring 56 upon seating of the plate. The plate of Fig. 3 cooperates with the body of Fig. 7 and the cover of Figure 1, the cover of Figure l having notches A, Band C for reception. of the. latch 51 to locate. the. plate in. the required positions. The plate of Fig. 4 cooperates with, the body of Fig. 'I and the cover of Fig. 5, the latter being identical with the cover of Figs. 1 andz except for the notches, this form having-a notch]? defining the backwash position; or the; valve at; 240 degrees from the notch A ihtfi$l Of" 1181)- degrees, as in Figs. 1 and;2 Thacover of Fig. 1- andFig. 5 are of course both made from the same pattern, the only difference being in the points at which the notches are milled therein. Alternately one cover may be made and the notches not to be used maybe closed by a plug or filler.

Adjacent the port 25 the-body II is shaped to provide the chamber 26 with which port 25 communicates and also a reagent chamber or conmotion. 59. beneath the chamber 26 separated therefrom by a wall BI in which is mounted a. nozzle 62 A tube 63 disposed in alignment with the'nozzle 62 establishes communication between .aeoaeea the chamber 59 and a tapped connection 64 to which a pipe leading to and extending into the head chamber of the zeolite tank just above the of delivery. of the reagent thereto to thereby cause the reagent to flow downwardly through the zeolite bed and prevent its accumulation in the chamber. This construction results in economy in the amount of reagent and water used.

Assuming that a water softening system in which hard water is not to be delivered to service during regeneration, has been installed and equipped with a control valve embodying a plate of the type shown in Fig. 3 and cover as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the various fluid flows required by such a system will be attained by manipulation of the valve in the following manner. Starting with the softening position of the valve as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, water will enter the interior of the cover through the central inlet 36 or through a pipe connected to deliver into the cover 41. From the interior of the cover the flow will be through open plate port 35, body port 2|, top chamber I2, to the top of the softening tank, and return from the softening tank through bottom chamber l4, body port 23, plate port 31, transfer passage 39, plate port 38, body port 24, and side chamber [5, to service. The blind portions of the plate close body ports 22 and 23, and the false port 21 of the body closes port 36.

When backwash becomes necessary, the handle 54 will be lifted to free the catch from the notch A and disengage the plate from the body, whereupon the handle will be turned 180 viewing Figure 1 to align the latch with the notch B and permit the reseating of the plate upon the body under influence of spring 56. The flow will now be from the interior of the cover through plate port 35, body port 23, bottom chamber l4, to the bottom of the softening tank, and return from the top of the softening tank through top chamber l2, body port 2| plate port 31, transfer passage 39, plate port 38, body port 22 and side chamber [3 to drain or waste. One blind portion closes body port 24 and the other blind portion seats over false port 21 of the body. Since plate port 36, in this position of the plate, registers with body port 25, there may also be a small but minor flow from the top chamber [2 through the passage 66 and the ports 25 and 36 into transfer passage 39. This fiow joins the main stream in the transfer passage and passes to drain through ports 38 and 22.

At the conclusion of the backwash, the handle is lifted and turned in a clockwise direction through 120 to engage the latch 51 in the notch C, whereupon the flow will be from the interior of the cover through open through plate port 35, body port 25, chamber 26, nozzle 62, chamber 56, and tube 63 to connection 64, thence to the head space of the softening tank. Brine will be drawn into the connection or chamber 59 through the connection 65 by the injector action of the nozzle 62 and tube 63, and water also will flow from chamber 26 through passage 66 into top chamber l2, and thence through connection l6 to the top of the head space above the reagent delivery thereto. From the bottom of the softening tank the return flow is through bottom chamber l4, body port 23, plate port 38, transfer passage 39,

plate 'port 36 and. body 22 through side chamber I3 to drain. The blind portions of the plate close body ports 2| and 24. After the brine flow has been shut off by a brine flow termination'valve and the water flow has continued until the brine rinse has been completed, the valve is lifted and turned further in a clockwise direction to return it to normal softening position with the latch engaged in the notch A.

When a plate32' having an open port 42 is employed, such as the plate 32 of Fig. 4 and cover of Fig. 5, continuous delivery of water to service in all positions of the valve will be furnished and the various flows will be as follows. With the handle in softening position, as it is when latch I! is engaged in notch A, the normal flow through the softening tank will be the same as that obtained when the plate of Fig. 3 is em ployed. The blind portion of the plate closes body port 22 and the false port 2! of the body closes the port 36. Of course, there Will be, in addition to the softening flow previously described, a flow of water through plate port 42, port 25 to chamber 26, passage 66 and connection 64, but since at such time the reagent flow is shut off and the flows through passage 66 and connection 64 both go to the head space at the top of the softening tank, the effective flow is the same as if all of the water passed through body port 2 I.

For backwashing, the handle is lifted and turned in a clockwise direction, viewing Figs. 1 and 5, through an arc of 240 to carry the latch 51 into alignment with notch D (Fig. 5). This disposes port 35 in alignment with port 24 to deliver hard water to service during backwashing, while port 42 is aligned with port 23 for the delivery of water to the bottom of the tank for backwashing. Upon return the backwash water is discharged through body port 2|, plate port 36, transfer passage 39, plate port 31, body port 22 and chamber 13 to drain. The blind portion of the plate closes the body port 25.

For brining and brine rinse the plate is moved clockwise 60 to align the latch or catch 51 with notch 0, thereby bringing plate port 42 into alignment with body port 24 to continue the delivery of hard water to service, while plate port 35 becomes aligned with body port 25 to deliver water to the head space of the tank and draw reagent from the supply tank into the chamber 59 to the tank at a point above the mineral bed. The blind portion of the plate closes body port 2| and the false port 21 of the body closes the passage port 31. When rinsing is complete as described in connection with Fig. 3, the plate is moved through another 60 to the service position.

It will be apparent, therefore, that the employment of a plate having the open port 42 provides a continuous supply of hard water to service while the regeneration steps of backwashing, brining, and rinsing are being carried out. With the type of body disclosed in Fig. 7 having a false port 21, no flow through this port occurs and the gasket ring 29 serves to close a port in the transfer passage in various operative positions, of the valve plate.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 andlO the body H is identical with that of Fig. 7 except that the false port 21 is opened by removal of the plug 3|, becomes open port 68 and com- 'munic'ates with'fthe.drainxorfside chamber "[3, providing two ports 22 and68 communicating with this-chamber. These'bo'dy ports 2 I 22,:23, 24525 andfifl are'allformedon an equal radius j from'the center of'theiface of thebody, and each .port is spaced or arranged I60' from an adjacent tion with the body of Fig.9, are as follows. ."For

softening, the position orthe valveplate '32 is the same .as shownizi'Eigsl 1 and? of'theidrawings, so that. water "flows from the 'interior'of the cover through ports35 and'ZI toithesoiten- 'ing tank and back 'throughiports 23, 11,159 and 24 to service. The blind portions ofthe valve plate 'c'lose'the' body ports 22; '25 and '68.

For backwashing, thehandle'is moved through 180" to position B, causingflowcof water fromithe interior of the cover through ports 35 and 23 to 'the bottom ioffthe-tank, through the water treating material, and back through portszl, ILpassageJSQ and ports69 and 22 tothe side chamber I 3. and to drain. The blind portions 'of the valve plate close body'ports 24,"25.andj6.8.

For regenerating and rinse the plate is moved through an additional 120 to position '0 and water is then delivered from 'the interior of the cover through ports'35 and'25 to the softening tank, and returns through ports'23, '69, transfer passage 39, port' H andport 21 to the side or drain chamber l3 to waste. The blind portions of the valve plate close'body por-ts 2|; 22 and 24.

' To return the valve to service position the plate is then lifted and rotated through a further 60.

It will be observed thatthis type of plate and body having .siX open ports, ispreferable in some respects to valves employing plates ofthe'types disclosedin' Figs; '3 and v4, particularly 'in the .larger size for heavyduty industrial use where flow to serviceji 'not wanted during. regeneration.

It should be apparent from "the foregoing that I have provided a valve of simple construction which is wellbalanced and adapted to snugly seat and provide a leakproof seal .around'al1 of the. ports. Any of a plurality ,of valves may be madefrom one set of patterns by simple changes in the manner of finishing the ports. Furthermore,the body ports beingspaced 60 from the adjacent port and concentrically arranged, provide a plainer and better seating support for'the plate, obviate tilting and leaking tendencies, and permit the different forms of the valve to be made from the same patterns.

In addition ,I have provided in a single valve a novel brine injector arrangement and wherein brine'is supplied .to,the header chamber of .the softened. tank and a small flow of water is simultaneouslymaintained tothe top of the tank in a single valve operation.

The valve herein'shown ,and described asexemplifying the principles'of my inventionis of the lift-turn type, butit should be understood that some, at. least,.of the novel features of the invention are adaptable to valves of the pure rotary type: in which the 7 plate remains con- 'stantly'in' engagement with the body; The struc-' tural "details illustrated and described may obviously. be'varied within considerable limits without exceeding the scopeof my invention as defined inthe following. claims.

I claim: 7

1.'A valve comprising a body having a top chamber, .a bottom chamber, two side chambers and an injector chamber, each of said chambers being providedwith an opening for connection with apipesaid body having a faceprovided with .ports arranged 60j from anadjacent port, .each of said portscommunioating with at least one ,of said chambers,,said body also having a reagent'chamber provided with apipe connection and a passage of smaller. cross-sectional area than said ports connectin Saidinjector chamber with said top chamber, an injectornozzle disposedbetween said injectorchamber and said reagent chamber to'deliver water from the injectorjchamber into the pipe connection of the reagent chamber and thereby withdraw reagent iromthe latter, a valve plate arranged in confronting relation .to said face of said body, a cover secured to said ,body and enclosing said .valve plate, means for introducing fluid under, pressure.into said cover, ,meanson said valve plate providing enclosed transfer passage means, said valvevplatejhavin jthrough port means extending completely therethrough, open. ports extendinginto said transferpassage means. and blind portion means, the, ports of saidbody and valve plate bein formed upon substantially equal radii, saidyvalve plate being movable intoa plurality of operative positions including a first position in which said open through port means establishes communication between the interior of said cover and said top chamber, said trans fer passage means interconnects said bottom chamberand one .of said side chambersland said blind portion ,means closes .communication to the other ofisaid side, chambers, and another vposition in which said .open through ,port means establishes communication between the interior of said cover andsaid injector chamber to deliver water ,to the injectorchamber for passage to the ,topchamber and ,to the nozzle, said transfer passage .means interconnects said bottom -chamber and the other of said side chamber and said'blind portionmeans. closes. a port communiofsaidports, a 'nozz le in the.,,wall ofsaid chamcating witlrsaidtop chamber.

' 112. ,In acontrol valve ,for .water treatment apparatus the combination of a body provided with .a .seriesiof ports-arrangedin a circle each spaced l from,an}adjacent port-the body being formed to providea'chamber communicating with one berjaligned with said port .and a connection to discharge from said nozzle, and .said chamber being providedwith a passage adapted forconnection' to. said head space to supply water there- .to above the reagent deliveredfrom said connection.

3.1%; .valve of the rotatable type,,comprising a body having six equallyspaced apart port locations arranged in a circle concentric with the body,'five :of said locations being provided with ports and -the remaining location being provided with a false port, a 'plate'supporting seat disposed ineach'of'sa'id locations, connections leadingfromsaid portlocations adapted to communicate with the various fluid flow conduits of a water treating system, a valve plate adapted to rest upon said seats, said plate being provided with a port extending therethrough and with downwardly opening ports connected by a pas sage, and means for rotating said plate to establish fluid flows for normal service of a water treating system and in other positions to establish flows for reconditioning the water treating material.

4. A control valve for a water treating apparatus of the base exchange type, comprising a body having six concentrically arranged port areas equidistantly spaced apart, five of said areas being provided with port openings and the remaining area being provided with a false port, each of said areas being equipped with a plate supporting sealing ring, a valve plate having multiple ports arranged to register with said body ports, two of said plate ports being adapted to conduct raw water from above the plate to aligned body ports and the remaining three plate ports opening downwardly from the plate only and connected together by a passage, a stem upon which said plate is mounted, and means for actuating said stem to align the plate ports with the requisite body ports for establishing flows to produce service, backwash and regeneration steps.

5. A multiport valve of the rotatable type comprising a body having six equally spaced apart port locations arranged in a circle, five of said 10- cations having open ports and the remaining location having a false port, a plate supporting seat disposed in each of said locations surrounding said ports, said port locations comprising a top port location having an open port, a drain port location having an open port at 60 with respect to the top port, a drain port location having a false port at 120 with respect to the top port, a bottom port location having an open port at 180 with respect to the top port, a service port location having an open port at 240 with respect to the top port, and a reagent port location having an open port at 300 with respect to the top port, a valve plate adapted to rest upon said seats, said plate having a port extending therethrough positioned to register with the top port in a service position of the plate, a second port extending completely therethrough positioned to register with the reagent port in said service position and three downwardly opening ports connected by a passage, one of the three ports being positioned for registration with the false port, another of the three ports registering with the bottom port and the other of the three ports registering with the service port in said service position, and means for rotating the plate through successive angularities of 240, 60 and 60 to move the plate ports through backwash, regenerating and service positions with respect to the body.

6. An article of manufacture comprising a cast metal valve body having a face provided with six port locations equidistantly spaced in a circle at intervals around a common center, a plate supporting seat of resilient material disposed in each of said locations, flow connections leading to said locations, said port locations comprising a top port location, drain port locations disposed at 60 and respectively with respect to the top port location, a bottom port location at with respect to the top port location, a service port location at 240 with respect to the top port location and a reagent supply port location at 300 with respect to the top port location, and an injector carried on the body in communication with the reagent port location, said body having a small passage connecting the reagent port location and the top port location.

'7. A control valve for controlling the flows of a base exchange water treatment apparatus, including a body and a plate cooperable therewith, said body being formed to provide a plurality of ports arranged in a circle each spaced 60 from an adjacent port, a pair of chambers comprising first and second chambers aligned with one of said ports, a nozzle between said chambers in alignment with said one port and a discharge connection leading from the second chamber in alignment with said nozzle arranged for connection to the head space of a treatment tank of said apparatus, said first chamber being con nected by a passage in the body with an adjacent port of the body, and said second chamber being adapted for connection to a supply of regenerating material.

8. A flow control valve for base exchange water treating system, comprising a ported body and a ported plate cooperable therewith, said-body being adapted for connection to the various conduits of such system, the body being formed with a chamber communicating with one of said body ports, a passage between said chamber and an adjacent port of the body, said adjacent port being adapted for connection to the head space of the treatment tank of said system, a nozzle leading from said chamber in alignment with the first mentioned one of said ports, a discharge con nection in spaced alignment with said nozzle and adapted to be connected with the head space of the treatment tank at a point below the point of connection of the aforesaid adjacent port, and a passage for supplying reagent to the space between the nozzle and the discharge connection.

LEE G. DANIELS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,209,993 McGill Aug. 6, 1940 2,299,802 Daniels Oct. 2'7, 1942 2,364,697 Daniels Dec. 12, 1944 2,451,678 Johnson et al. Oct. 19, 1948 

